NEW DELHI: The Congress Working Committee (CWC), the apex body of the Congress, convened in the national capital on Thursday, marking the first meeting since the party's recent electoral debacle in many states. The state general secretary incharges provided explanations for the losses.
During the crucial CWC meeting at the AICC headquarters, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge addressed party leaders, saying the Congress is committed to avoid past mistakes. He mentioned that some leaders proposed Rahul Gandhi undertake another Bharat Jodo Yatra from east to west, but the final decision rests with him and the CWC, the highest decision-making body of the Congress. Kharge informed the CWC about the I.N.D.I.A. alliance meeting, stating that the fourth meeting of the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc on December 19 unanimously decided to initiate seat-sharing talks promptly. A decision on the new Bharat Jodo yatra will be made soon.
Kharge announced the formation of a five-member panel by the Congress to engage with various parties in different states while pointing out the limited time before the Lok Sabha elections. The CWC resolution condemned the suspensions of MPs during the winter session of Parliament and expressed the party's determination to prepare for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, both as an independent entity and as part of the I.N.D.I.A. group.
Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal, speaking after the meeting, stated that the party is in election mode. Despite setbacks in three state Assembly elections, the Congress vote bank remains intact. The resolution affirmed the Congress's commitment to make the I.N.D.I.A. group a robust force against the BJP and its allies. Venugopal announced a focus on the parliamentary elections, with candidate decisions, the formation of a screening committee, and state-level conventions in the pipeline. He highlighted the upcoming rally on December 28 in Nagpur, with participation expected from senior leaders and a large crowd.
